JMIR XR and Spatial Computing (JMXR) is a new journal by JMIR Publications (the leading publisher in the digital health space) focusing on extended reality (XR) and spatial computing applications in human health and well-being, including but not limited to health and medical care settings.

Extended reality (XR) is a catchall term to refer to augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality or mediated reality (MR), with "X" as an arbitrary variable that can interpolate between these various realities or eXtrapolate (eXtend) beyond them. The technology is intended to combine or mirror the physical world with a "digital twin world" that is able to interact with it. (Wikipedia)

Topics of interest for this journal include medical applications of XR, including immersive technologies, interactions or social connections within three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds or the metaverse, and concrete applications in surgery, medical education, medical research, and medical practice.

Related work has previously appeared across the portfolio of JMIR Publications journals and is curated in the following e-collections:

While we will continue to publish XR-related work in other journals of the JMIR Publications portfolio, JMXR will create a focused community of XR researchers and practitioners interested in XR/AR/VR applications in medicine.

Submissions not reviewed or accepted for publication in JMIR XR and Spatial Computing may be offered cascading peer review or transfer to other JMIR Publications journals, according to standard JMIR Publications policies.

Manuscripts focused on medical or interprofessional education innovations and technology may instead be published in / transferred to JMIR Medical Education.

Manuscripts focused on games in health or gamification aspects of apps and theoretical issues/commentary on gaming may instead be published in / transferred to JMIR Serious Games.

Early-stage formative work may better fit the scope for JMIR Formative Research.

Protocols and proposals can be submitted to JMIR Research Protocols.

Submitted manuscripts are subject to a rigorous but speedy peer review process. We aim for a standard review time of less than 2 months, and a review time of 4 weeks for submission to initial decision for fast-tracked papers).

The review process is designed to help authors to improve their manuscripts by giving them constructive comments on how to improve their paper, and to publish only those articles which comply to general quality criteria of a scholarly paper, especially originality, clarity, references to related work and validity of results and conclusions.

Viewpoints on XR and Spatial Computing

2023